A woman has become the seventh person to be diagnosed with Japanese encephalitis in NSW.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The woman in her 40s is from the Berrigan area in the Riverina region, NSW Health said on Wednesday.
She was treated in hospital before being discharged and is recovering at home.
NSW Health is urging the community to stay vigilant and take precautions against mosquito bites.
The virus is spread by mosquitoes and can infect animals and humans.
The virus can't be transmitted between humans and can't be caught by eating pork or other pig products.
There is no specific treatment for JE, which can cause severe neurological illness with headache, convulsions and reduced consciousness in some cases.
The best thing people can do to protect themselves and their families against JE is to take steps to avoid mosquito bites.
NSW Health recommends:
* Avoid the outdoors, bushland and wetlands at peak mosquito times - dawn and dusk
* Wear long sleeves and pants, socks and shoes
* Use insecticides (e.g. permethrin)
* Use and reapply repellent (e.g. DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus)
* Use mosquito nets for children, and mosquito coils
* Empty and reduce all water-holding containers around your house.
Australian Associated Press
